Our Teachers

Ven. Khenpo Rinpoches

 

We are very fortunate and deeply grateful to have Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche as the spiritual teachers and directors of the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center. Their family has been steeped in Vajrayana Buddhism for generations, and among their ancestors were many great scholars and practicioners. Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, the eldest of the two brother Lamas, is among the last generation of Tibetans fully educated in the traditional monastic system.

The Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches are among the most highly qualified teachers of Tibetan Buddhism. They are fully versed in the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana schools, and are masters of  Dzogchen, the most advanced tradition of meditation practice in Tibetan Buddhism. The Ven. Khenpo Rinpoches hold complete the transmissions of the Nyingma Kama and Terma lineages, and are the authors of over twenty books in English. Additionally, the Khenpo Rinpoches have received the recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche in the form of many honors and appointments.

In 1989, the Ven. Khenpo Rinpches founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (PBC), a non-profit organization to teach the authentic words and practices of Tibetan Nyingma Buddhism. PBC now has chapters in over 20 cities in the USA, Russia, and Puerto Rico as well as nunneries and monasteries in India, Russia, and upstate New York. The Ven. Rinpoches maintain a busy retreat schedule that includes annual visits to their  many centers where they give public talks, teachings, empowerments, and individual meditation instructions and guidance.

The Rinpoches’ skillful presentations make Buddhist teachings applicable to every aspect of our busy Western lives. Their vibrant personalities have delighted countless students, and their living example of the teachings has inspired a multitude of practicioners. With their compassion, wisdom, and loving kindness, they are our guiding lights.

On the auspicious day of Medicine Buddha, June 19, 2010 at 8:07pm, our most beloved teacher and one of the great scholars and masters in Nyingmapa Buddhism, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche passed into mahaparinirvana peacefully and beautifully.

Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche worked tirelessly his entire life to pass on the authentic, ancient teachings of Buddhism, and has inspired thousands of Dharma practitioners all over the world, leaving a great monument of peace, love, and wisdom. Truly, he was a warrior who conquered all negativities and fully accomplished the wishes of Buddha Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava. We will honor and revere him and his legacy forever.

Read the full announcement, of the mahaparinirvana of the Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche.

More detailed biographies of Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche can be found on the PBC National site.